A Quartet of Bridges in Columbus County Will Be Replaced

WHITEVILLE – Four bridges close together along Red Hill Road in Columbus County will be closed at the same time, demolished and rebuilt over the next year.

Tara Group of Lumberton received a $2.7 million contract from the N.C. Department of Transportation last month. Built in the 1940s, the bridges are several hundred feet apart over Red Hill Swamp, south of Clarkton.

For the safety of workers and drivers, as well as to accelerate the work, the contractor will close the bridges at the same time and detour traffic until they are rebuilt by spring 2020. As part of the project, the contractor also will eliminate a sharp curve where Red Hill Road and Green-Elkins Road meet near the bridges.

The contractor may start the work between March 20 and May 1.

The detour will direct drivers to use Baldwin Road, John Spaulding Road, Jenkins Road, Rico Road, Green Street and South College Street in Clarkton.